Fisk Caps Hall Decision: He Will Wear Red

The long-held secret over which Sox cap Carlton Fisk would pick for his Hall of Fame plaque was revealed Friday in Boston.

To no one's surprise, the Red Sox are in and the White Sox are out.

"I would like to say that this always has been my favorite hat and I will be wearing this hat probably the rest of my career," Fisk said. "I think I've known for a long time. It's not like a light bulb came on or I had a vision. I think this has always been a part of me."

Fisk, who played his final 13 seasons with the White Sox after gaining fame during his first 11 seasons in Boston, battled with the ownership of both organizations. But his resentment over his release from the White Sox in 1993 at age 44, and the subsequent decision to bar him from entering the Sox's clubhouse before the opener of the '93 playoffs, led to deep scars that Fisk said still haven't healed.

White Sox spokesman Scott Reifert said the organization is "disappointed" in Fisk's decision, but wishes him well.

"Obviously, he has some ties to the Red Sox and had some great moments in his career [with Boston]," Reifert said. "It's disappointing to us. We're Sox fans. We're Carlton Fisk fans. I'm sure it had to be a tough decision, but it was his decision to make."

Fisk, who lives in southwest suburban Chicago, was born in Vermont and grew up in New Hampshire, where his parents still reside.

The Red Sox also announced they would retire Fisk's No. 27. The White Sox retired his No. 72 in 1997.